Golders Green Station plans – written answers from the Mayor

Barnet Council is currently consulting on a draft planning brief for the Golders Green area, which is proving very controversial, with TfL being blamed by some people for the more extreme elements in Barnet’s draft plan. What are TfL’s intentions towards development of the tube and bus station; and when do you expect a planning application to be submitted?

Written response from the Mayor

TfL had been in early discussions with the London Borough of Barnet to explore what could be delivered at Golders Green in a way that is entirely sympathetic to the historic character of the area.

In response to feedback to the Borough’s Golders Green Station Planning Brief, I understand TfL will not be taking forward a development on this site at this time.

Draft planning brief for Golders Green [2]

Question No: 2017/2468

Andrew Dismore

Do you agree that Hampstead Garden Suburb is a an area of important historic and architectural merit; and will you ensure that any plans that re brought forward for development nearby fully recognise the area’s character?

Written response from the Mayor

I do agree that Hampstead Garden Suburb is an area of important historic and architectural merit and I also note that in addition, the area surrounding the site contains a number of conservation areas, listed buildings and other heritage assets.

Should an application become referable to me, any decision would be made based on an assessment against the relevant policies of the London Plan, the NPPF and The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

At the moment no planning application has been submitted, although Barnet Council and Transport for London are jointly working on a draft planning brief for the bus station and wider site. Barnet Council’s public consultation ended on 25 May 2017 and GLA officers responded on my behalf, setting out the key strategic issues. This response included the recommendation that wording be included to ensure that building heights successfully address the character of nearby buildings.

Draft planning brief for Golders Green [3]

Question No: 2017/2469

Andrew Dismore

Some people have been making mischief over the Golders Green war memorial clock and its future in any forthcoming development. Is the memorial safe in your hands?

Written response from the Mayor

I will make sure that any application for the site that is referred to me will keep the memorial safe.

Any proposals would be assessed against the relevant policies of the London Plan, the NPPF and The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

Draft planning brief for Golders Green [4]

Question No: 2017/2470

Andrew Dismore

Barnet Council’s draft planning brief for Golders Green, if approved, could mean the loss of some architecturally listed important local buildings and homes. Will you do all you can to preserve the character of the Golders Green area and listed buildings?

Written response from the Mayor

I am confident that the policies in the London Plan will help to preserve the character of the Golders Green Area and listed buildings. Specifically, London Plan Policy 7.8 provides that development should identify, value, conserve, restore, re-use and incorporate heritage assets where appropriate.

National policy also affords protection for listed buildings. The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 sets out the tests for dealing with heritage assets in planning decisions and the NPPF states that where a proposed development will lead to ‘substantial harm’ to or total loss of the significance of a designated heritage asset, local planning authorities should refuse consent, unless it can be demonstrated that the substantial harm or loss is necessary to achieve substantial public benefits that outweigh that harm or loss. Where a development will lead to ‘less than substantial harm’, the harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal, including securing its optimum viable use.

The draft planning brief does not propose the demolition of any listed buildings, and any future planning application would be expected to demonstrate the potential impact of any proposals on local heritage assets and views. Should an application become referable to me, any decision would be made based on an assessment against the relevant policies of the London Plan, the NPPF and The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.